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Marte activated from DL, but gripping bat an issue

Marte activated from DL, but gripping bat an issue

8/18/13: Starling Marte chases down an Aaron Hill fly ball and makes a nice sliding catch for the final out of the top of the 12th inning

By Tom Singer
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MLB.com |

ST. LOUIS -- Starling Marte was activated from the 15-day disabled list by the Pirates prior to Saturday night's game against the Cardinals -- but his initial availability figures to be quite limited.

Without the restriction of a 25-man roster, there was no practical reason to keep the left fielder on the DL. However, given the results of recent workouts, Marte still has difficulty gripping a bat with his bruised right hand.

Still, he could be a pinch-running weapon, and could also play as a late-game defensive replacement. Both could be assets in close games.

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog Change for a Nickel. He can also be found on Twitter @Tom_Singer. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.